Against the Wind
Just as we started to hit our stride this school year, the holidays came along and completely knocked us out of our routine. The kids and I both have had a hard time getting back into our homeschool rhythm. It feels as though everything has been thrown off course.
Homeschooling (and motherhood, for that matter) is a marathon. It is long and sometimes grueling, but we get to set the pace. We can choose to power through painful moments, or take a break to bandage our wounds. We decide whether we need to stop for water, regulate our breathing, or have the energy to push through the “runner’s wall.” In case you’re unfamiliar with that term, the “wall” refers to severe fatigue in endurance running. Not that I would personally know, because I could barely jog a tenth of a mile, let alone run a marathon.
In fact, my only real experience with running was in middle school track. One track meet in particular is forever seared into my memory.
It was a windy spring day, and I was wearing a full track suit. You know, a retro windbreaker, 80s style. Did this story take place in the 80s or even the early 90s, you might ask? Nope. It was indeed a full decade after those swishy pants and matching jacket had gone out of style. But there I was, in the early 2000s, wearing that suit like a champion. I needed to look the part, if I was going to win.
Along with my stylish outfit, asthma inhaler in pocket, I also came ready with confidence. I had everything I needed. Everything, that is, except the ability to actually run. We all lined up on our mark, and when the gun fired, we took off running as fast as we could. At first, I had the wind at my back, pushing me forward. I was slow, but there were still other runners within reach. Then, we rounded the corner toward the finish line. Against the wind now, my windbreaker suddenly gave the appearance of one who is skydiving out of an airplane. I was basically running in place at that point, fighting for my life to inch forward.
The other kids had been at the finish line so long, no one except for my mom and coaches even realized there was a still a child in the race. When my coach told me my finish time, I took a hit off my inhaler and said, “Mom, did you see that?!” She felt so sad for me, and nodded her head, waiting for my tears to follow. Instead she was surprised to hear me celebrate, “That was my fastest time EVER!!” Granted, my coach had probably stopped the clock earlier, so I wouldn’t feel dejected, but it felt like a win, all the same!
In the words of Bob Segar (“Against the Wind”, circa 1980), “Well, I’m older now and still runnin’ against the wind.” All these years later, I often find myself running in place, or sometimes even in circles, when I feel burdened by my responsibilities. When I look around to see who is faster or better at handling parenting or education, comparison becomes a hinderance in my life.
I could use a pep talk from the brave girl that dared to wear what no other middle schooler could have been bribed to sport. I believe that faith-filled, asthmatic kid might have said something like this:
Sometimes the wind is going to carry you forward, and other times it will come against you so hard, you have to fight for every single step. The important thing is that you keep moving. Make sure you celebrate the small victories, even in the midst of loss.
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12).
You may not finish in the same way or even remotely at the same speed as everyone else, but that doesn’t matter. You are running your own race. God stands at the finish line, beckoning you to keep running towards Him!
Okay, maybe I would not have used the word, “beckoning” in middle school, but the sentiment remains.
I’ll conclude with a few words of encouragement, from the book of Hebrews:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross …” (12:1-2a, NIV).
Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
"Against the Wind" by Bob Seger. Published by Gear Publishing Company and administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC. The song was released in 1980 on Capitol Records.
